Speed selective control system



p 1937. F. H. RICHTERKESSING 2,092,021

SPEED SELECTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed July 29, 1932 gwuantoz FQANK H. Dxcmzmxsssme Patented Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE to .Cheatham Electric Switching Device C Incorporated, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky, and Nachod & United States Signal 00., Incorporated, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky ApplicationJuly 29, 1932, Serial No. 626,241

30 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical control systems, and has particular application to automatic electro-magnetic setting of switch points on electric railways to difierent positions depend out upon the speed at which a railway car approaches the switch point.

One object of this invention is to produce a system which will effect an operation of the switch tongue to one position when a car approaches the switch point at a speed less than a predetermined rate, and which will operate the switch tongue to another position when the car approaches the switch point at a speed greater than the predetermined rate.

Another object of this invention is to produce a system, which will provide a definite period of current application for operating the switch tongue.

A still further object of this invention is to produce a system in which the speed of the car is to be effective only while engaging the circuit closing device or trolley contactor.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a system which will direct current to the mechanism to be actuated, only after the car disengages the circuit closing device governing the selective operation of the mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description of my invention, is made herein.

As heretofore constructed, the conventional io-rm of electrically operated switch point control systems have depended upon the well known principle of power on or power ofi to the motors of the vehicle for selecting the desired position of the switch point. While this method of control has been extensively employed, there are certain operating conditions which render it impracticable. For instance, with the increasing current consumption of auxiliaries in electric railway vehicles, the margin between the auxiliary currents and motor operating currents has become extremely narrow. In fact, in some instances the auxiliary currents practically equal the motor currents. Likewise, the application of electrically operated switches on steep grades have p-roven impractical when controlled by the principle of power on or power ofi. It is extremely difficult for an operator of a vehicle to shut off the power to the motors of a vehicle and coast up-hill for switch selection. Similarly the vehicle in attempting to use motor current down-hill for switch selection, will encounter difiiculties through regeneration of the vehicle motors.

These objects are attained by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which-- The figure illustrates an embodiment of the invention as applied to the control of switch points at conventional turn out locations.

With reference to the drawing the character 0 designates a switch tongue which is electromagnetically operated by the solenoids SN and SR. The reciprocating plunger P operating within the solenoids SN and SR. mechanically connects the switch tongue 0 through link L. Although the switch tongue 0 is illustrated in the reverse position, it must be understood that it may be illustrated normally in either of its operable positions.

The character D designates a current conductor or over-head trolley wire. Positioned adjacent conductor D is flexible contact member I which is arranged tobe engaged by a current collector W of a vehicle.

The relay C employed in the invention is provided with an operating coil CR and an armature Cl operating between contacts [4 and Ill.

The relay B employed in the invention is provided with an, operating coil BR. and an armature BI for engaging contact ll located within a magnetic blowout, symbolically represented by BL. The relay B is of the slow release type, and is provided with a. means symbolically represented by CSI for retarding the release of its armature BI upon deen'ergization of its operating coil BR. It is well known to those familiar with the art that many methods can be employed to retard the release of an armature, such as an oil or air dash-pot arrangement, a copper or brass sleeve about the core of the relay, a mechanical inertia device or a combination of same.

The relay S that I employ is likewise a slow release relay, and is provided with an operating coil SS and an armature SI operating between contacts 6 and 8. The relay S is provided with a means symbolically represented by CS for retarding the release of its armature SI. It is apparent that this device may be of the same nature as employed on relay B.

Resistance units R and RS may be of any of the conventional forms employed in electrically controlled apparatus for limiting the amount of current in a circuit.

With further reference to the drawing, it will be noted that as soon as the current collector W engages the flexible contact member I adjacent the trolley wire D, a circuit will be completed for energizing operating coil CR of relay 0.

' operating coil OR; of relay 0, wire 3, resistance unit RI, wire 4, wire 5, armature SI of relay S, front contact 60f relay S, wire I, solenoid SN of track switch N, wire I8, wire 26, to-ground G.

It must be remembered that the current flowing in this circuit will be sufiicient to energize the operating coil CR of relay C to aifect its armature CI, but will not be sufiicient to energize the solenoid SN of track switch N to an extent where the switch tongue will be operated. As soon as armature CI of relay C engages its-front contact I4 a circuit will be completed for energizing the operating coil BR of relay B. This circuit being completed from the current conductor D, through wire DI, armature CI for relay 0, front contact I4 of relay C, wire I5, coil BR of relay B, wire 16, resistance unit R2, wire '4, wire5, armature SI of relay :S, irontcontact ;6, wire 'I, solenoid SN of track switch N, wire :I-B, wire 20 to ground G. It must be further remembered that thecurrent flowing through the .circuit just described wilLnot be 'su'fIicient to energize solenoid SN of :trackswitch N. :Similarly the totalcurrentof each :of the latter circuits described and flowing to the track switch N will :not be 'sufiicient :to energize :the solenoid *SN. When the armature CI of relayC was brought in-to'engagement with its -f1'0111t1COI1tflCt I4, it was brought out ofengagement with its back contact :I 0. This operation-resulted in zdeenergizing the operating coil SS of relay'S, :since the circuit-for normally energizingthe operating coil :SS is normally completed through the engagement .of armature CI and its back contact &6. This circuit normally being completed from the current .conductor D, through wire .D'I, armature CI of relay C, back contact I0, wire .2:I, wire ,II, operating coil SS of relay S, wire I2, resistance unit RS, wire I3, wire '9, solenoid SR of track switch "N, wire =I9, wire '20 to ground G. It must be remembered that the :current'normally flowing in the :circuit just described will sufficiently energizethe operatingcoil .SS .of relay S to retain the armature S I .in contact engagement :with its front contact 6, but will not be sufiicient to energize solenoid- SE of track switch N. As long as the current collector W engages the contact member :1, the operatingcoil CH. of :relay 0 will be energized and retain its armature 'CI out-of engagement with its back contact I0;and in engagement with its frontcontact I4.

vIt wil-lbe apparent that as long as the armatureC-I remains in'this operated, position, the operating coilSS of relay :8 will remain de-energized thereby permitting its armature .to release under the influence of the retarded release device US. It will he further apparent that if the "current collector W engages the contact mem- :ber I for-a relatively-long period, the operating coil I SS of relay S will remain .deenergized sufficient .to permit its armature SI to disengage its front contact 6 and come intoengagement with its back contact 8. Should the current collector Wen'gage the contact :member I tor a comparatively short time, however, :it will be apparent that the armature SJI will not :have .sufiicienttime to disengage its front contact and will there- .foreremain in its actuated position.

As soon'as'thecurrent collector W disengages.

the contact member I, the operating coil 10B. of relay C will .become deenergized thereby. peDni-tting its armature CI to instantly disengage its front contact Hand to come into contact eri gagement with its back contact II]. This operation of the armature CI will likewise result in the deenergization of operating coil BR of relay B thereby permitting the armature BI to release under the action of the retarding device CSI. As long as armature CI remains in engagement with back contact I'll, and the armature BI engages its front contact IT, a circuit will be established through wire 5 to armature SI of relay S for directing switch operating current to either of the:solenoids .SN or SR of track switch N. As previously described'when the current collector -W engages the contact member I for a sufiicient- 1y long period, 'the armature SI of relay S will be permitted to come into contact engagement with its contact 8, thereby directing current to the solenoid SR. This circuit being completed from the current conductor D, through wire DI, armature CI of relay C, back contact- ID, wire 2|, armature BI of relay B, front contact ll, wire 5, armature SI of relay S, back contact 8, wire :9, solenoidgSR of track switch N, wire .19, wire '20, to ground G. As long as switch operating current flows in the circuit just described, the operating coil SS of relay S will not be permittedto become energized, since the flow of current in its circuit will be shunted. This operation will be obvious upon. considering that the circuit of the operating coil SS obtains its ground connection through solenoid SR and that as 'long as switch operating current flows through wire '9 'thepotential of the current conductor D will be maintained on wire I3. If the current a collector W had engaged the contact member I for a comparatively short period wherein the armature SI was not permitted to release its front contact 6, switch operating current will be directed to the solenoid SN. It will be apparant that this circuit Willbe established from the current conductor D, through wire DI, armature CI of relay Cfbackcontact 1-0 of relay :0, wire 2I, armature Bl of relay B, front contact I'I, wire .5, armature SI of relay .S, front contactB, wire 1, solenoid SN of track switch N, wire I8, wire .20 to ground G. As heretofore mentioned, as

' soon as collector W disengaged the contact member I the operating coil BR of relay B became deenergized, thereby permitting its armature BI to release under the retarded action of the time element device CSI. Therefore, after a predeo .termined time period the armature BI will dis engage its front contact l! and discontinue the flow of current toeither of the trackswitch solenoids SN or SR. As soon as the flow of switch operating current is discontinued the selective relay-S will be permitted to restore to its normal position.

-It will be obvious to those familiar with the art that when thecurrent collector W is required to engage thecontact member I for a long period, the speed of the vehicle must be reduced below a given rate, while, when the current collector W is'required to engage the contact member for a relatively shorter time period, the speed of the car must be increased over a given rate.

'While the system shown in the figure was describedas being applied to the control of aswitch point located at a point where cars may continue is a straight line or be directed to the curved position by operation of the switch tongue 0, there are conditions where a series of such controls are installed on a steep grade for restricting the speed of a car to less than a predetermined rate for the full length of the grade. In this application of the device, should the speed of the car become greater than desired for the movement downhill, the switch point will automatically be thrown to the curved position and derail or redirect the travel of the car before serious accidents could occur. In this system there are a number of switch points and controls located comparatively close.

While the foregoing description and figure illustrate this invention as applied to the control of an electrically operated track switch, the invention has been employed to selectively control signals. Modifications of this invention as applied to the control of signal systems are numerous and have not been included since it is believed that it will be apparent to those familiar with the art that this invention has application to many forms of signaling systems. Therefore, this invention is not to be restricted to the specific arrangements and modifications of the parts and circuits shown in the accompanying drawing and disclosed in the specification, since it is evident that other modifications and arrangements may be made and fall within the scope of this invention and claims.

I claim:

1. In a track switch operating system comprising, a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by av current collector, a trolley conductor, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, a branched operating circuit leading to the track switch operating means, a selective switch normally conecting the operating circuit to one of the branched circuits and selectively operated to select the other of said branched circuits to permit operation of the track switch in one direction or the other, electrical operating means to control the said selective switch, a circuit breaker switch in the operating circuit normally maintaining the circuit open, electrically operating means to close the said circuit breaker switch, another switch normally connecting the electrically operating means of the selective switch and the said circuit breaker switch to the trolley conductor, and means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said contact member to operate the said another switch, to alter the circuits normally connected thereto, and connect the said electrically operating means of the said circuit breaker switch to the trolley conductor.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the said circuit breaker switch is provided with a time element device to retain the said circuit breaker switch closed for a predetermined time after the said another switch is restored to normal.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the electrically operating means of the said selective switch is normally energized and de-energized by the operation of the said another switch to cause the selective switch to select the other of said branch circuits, and means permitting operation of the selective switch only when the said another switch is operated for a predetermined time.

4. In a track switch operating system comprising, a trolley contactor to be engaged by a current collector, a trolley conductor, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, a branched operating circuit leading to the track switch operating means, a selective switch for selectively connecting the operating circuit to one or the other of the branch circuits to permit operation of the track switch in one direction or the other, normally energized electrical operating means to con trol the said selective switch, a normally inactive time switch in the operating circuit normally maintaining the circuit open, normally de-energized electrically operating means to close the said time switch, another switch normally connecting the electrically operating means of the said selective switch and the said time switch to the trolley conductor, normally inactive means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said trolley contactor to operate the said another switch to alter the circuits normally connected thereto and to connect the electrically operating means of the time switch to the trolley conductor, and means responsive to the altered condition of the said circuits, to withhold energization of the said electrically controlled operating means of the track switch until the said another switch is restored to normal.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein means are provided to retain the selectively actuated position of the selective switch when the said another switch is restored to normal and until the said operating circuit is disconnected from the trolley conductor.

6. A system according to claim 4 wherein means are provided to cause the said time switch to retain the operating circuit closed for a predetermined time after the collector disengages the contact element.

'7. In a track switch operating system comprising, a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a. track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, a branched operating circuit leading to the track switch operating means, a selective switch for selectively connecting the operating circuit to one or the other of the branch circuits to permit operation of the track switch in one direction or the other, a circuit breaker switch in the operating circuit normally maintaining the circuit open, electrically operating means to close the said circuit breaker switch, another switch normally connecting the said circuit breaker switch to a source of power, and means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said contact member to operate the said another switch to open thecircuit normally connecting the said circuit breaker switch and to connect the electrically operating means of the said circuit breaker switch to a source of power, and electrically operated means responsive to an operation of the said another switch to aiiect the said selective switch only when the said another switch is operated for a predetermined time.

8. In a track switch operatingsystem comprising, a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, an operating circuit for directing current to the said track switch operating means, a time switch normally disconnecting the operating circuit from the said track switch operating means, a second switch in the operating circuit to normally maintain the said operating circuit disconnected from the source of power, electrically operated means to close the said second switch, another switch normally connecting the said second switch to the source of power, and means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said contact member to operate the said another switch to close the said operating circuit to the track switchoperating means only when the said another switch is operated for a predetermined time.

9. In a track switch operating system comprising, atrolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, an operating circuit leading to the saidtrack switch operating means, a time switch for selectively opening the operating circuit leading to the said electrically controlled operating means, a second switchin the operating circuit to normally maintain the circuit disconnectedfrom the source of power, electrically operating means to close the said second switch, another switch normally connecting the said second switch to a source of power, and means responsive to the engagement .of the current collector with the said contact member to operate the said another switch to open the circuit normally'connectin'g the second switch andto connect the said electrically operated means-of the said second switch to the source of power, and electrically operated means responsive to the operation of the said another 7 switch to affect the said time switch to open the said operating circuit leading to the switch oper- 1 ating means only when the said another switch 'is operated for a predetermined time.

10. In a track switch operating system com- 7 prising, a trolley contactor tobe engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, a branched operating circuit leading to the track switch operating means, 'a selective switch for selectively connecting the operating circuit to one or other of the said branched circuits to permit operation of the track switch in one direction or the other, operating means for the said selective switch, another switch normally connecting theoperating means of the said selective switch to the source of power, and means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said trolley contactor to operate the said another switch to disconnect the operating means of the selective switch from the source of power, and means associated with the said selective switch to permit operation thereof only when the said another switch is operated for a predetermined time.

11. In a track switch operating system comprising, a'troll-ey contactor to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a track, switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, a branched operating circuit leading to the track switch operating means, a selective switch operable to two positions for selectively connecting the operating circuit t0 oneor other of the said branched circuits to permit operation of the track switch in one direction or the other, operating means for the said selective switch, another switch normally connecting the operating means of the said selective switch to the source of power to retain the selective switch normally in one position, means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said trolley contactor, to cause the said another switch to operate and disconnect the operating means of the selective switch from the source of powenand means associated With the said selective switch permitting operation of the selective switch to its other position only when the said'another switch is operated for aopredetermined time, and means responsive to the operation of .the said another switch to connect the said operating circuit to the source of power for apredetermined time after the said another switch is restored to a normal conditions 12. A system according to claim 11 wherein means are provided to retain the operating means of the selective switch de-energi zed as long as current flows in the switch operating circuit and'only when the said another switch has been operated for thersaid predetermined time before the switch operating circuit was closed.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein means are-provioledto retain the selective switch in its normal condition as long as current flows in 'the'switch operating circuit and only when cuits to permit operation of the track switch in.

one direction or theother, operating means for the said selective switch, another switch normally connecting the operating means of the said selecf tive switch to thesource of power to retain the selective switch normally in one position, and means responsive to the engagement of the current collector with the said trolley contactor to cause the saidanother switch tooperate and disconnect the operating means of the selective switch from' the source of power, means associated with the said selective switch permitting operation of the selective switch to its other position only when the said another switch is operated for a predetermined time, and means responsive to the operation of the said another switch to connect the said operating circuit to the source of power fora predetermined time after the'said another switch' is restored to a normal condition, and means to prevent oper'a-* tion of the said "another switch as long as current flowsin the said 'branched operating circuit.

15. Ina switch operatingsystem comprising, a trolley'contactor to be engaged bya current collector, a source of power, a track switch, elecs trically controlled operating means for the: said trackswitch, a branched operating circuit leading to the track switch operating means, a time element switch for selectively connecting the op erating circuit to one or other of said branched circuitsto permit operation of the track switch in one direction or the other, a circuit breaker switch in the operating circuit normally maintaining the circuit open, operating means for the said circuit breaker switch :responsive to the entermined time in the said operating circuit only upon disengagement of the current collector and trolley contactor.

16. In a selectively operated relay system comprising a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, mechanism to be selectively operated, electrically controlled operating means for the said mechanism, a branched circuit leading to the said operating means, a selective switch for selectively connecting the operating circuit to one or the other of said branched circuits to permit selective operation of the said mechanism, a circuit controlling switch in the operating circuit normally maintaining the circuit open, electrically operated means to close the said switch, another switch normally connecting the circuit controlling switch to a source of power, and means responsive to the engagement of a current collector with the said contact member to operate the said another switch, to open the circuit normally connecting the said circuit controlling switch and to connect the said electrically operated means of the last mentioned switch to the source of power.

17. In a selectively operated relay system com.- prising a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, mechanism to be selectively operated, electrically controlled operating means for the said mechanism, a branched circuit leading to the said operating means, a selective switch for selectively connecting the operating circuit to one or the other of said branched circuits to permit selective operation of the said mechanism, a circuit controlling switch in the operating circuit normally maintaining the circuit open, electrically operated means to close the said circuit controlling switch, another switch normally connecting the circuit controlling switch to a source of power, and means responsive to the engagement of a current collector with the said contact member to cause the said another switch to operate and open the circuit normally connecting the said circuit controlling switch and to connect the electrically operated means of the said circuit controlling switch to the source of power, and electrically operated means responsive to the operation of the said another switch to afiect the said selective switch only when the said another switch is operated for a predetermined time.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein means are provided to maintain the said circuit controlling switch operated for a predetermined time after the said another switch is restored to normal.

19. In a selectively operated control system comprising, a trolley contactor having a contact member to be electrically engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a mechanism to be selectively operated, electrically controlled operating means for the said mechanism, a branched circuit leading to the said operating means, a time element switch for selectively connecting the said circuit to one or other of the said branched circuits to permit operation of the said mechanism, electrically operated means to control the said time element switch, means responsive to the electrical engagement of the current collector with the said contact member to aifect the operating means of the said time switch only when the collector maintains continuous electrical engagement with the said contact member for a predetermined time, and other means responsive to the electrical engagement of the current collector with the said contact member to establish a flow of current in the said branched circuit upon disengagement of the current collector and contact member.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein the flow of current in the said branched circuit is discontinued a predetermined time after the collector disengages the said contact member.

21. In a track switchoperating system comprising, a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, an operating circuit for directing current to the said track switch operating means, a time switch normally disconnecting the operating circuit from a source of power, normally energized operating means for the said time switch, means controlled by contact engagement of the current collector and contact member to de-energize the last mentioned operating means to cause operation of the said time switch to establish a flow of current in the said operating circuit only when the current collector engages the contact member for a predetermined time.

22. In a track switch operating system comprising, a trolley contactor having a contact member to be engaged by a current collector, a source of power, a track switch, electrically controlled operating means for the said track switch, an operating circuit for directing current to the said track switch operating means, a time switch normally disconnecting the operating circuit from a source of power, normally energized operating means for the said time switch, means controlled by contact engagement of the current collector and contact member to de-energize the last mentioned operating means to cause operation of the said time switch to establish a flow of current in the said operating circuit only when the current collector engages the contact member for a predetermined time, and means for discontinuing the flow of current in the said operating circuit after a predetermined time.

23. In a switch point operating system, the combination of a switch point, an actuating solenoid, a relay for selectively directing currents through different parts of said solenoid, a current conductor, a current collector, a contact positioned adjacent the said current conductor to be electrically engaged by the said current collector, said relay normally in one condition of operation for directing current through one part of said solenoid and actuated during the electrical engagement of the current collector with the said contact to another condition of operation for directing current through a different part of said solenoid dependent upon whether the said collector maintains continuous electrical engagement with the said contact for a predetermined time or not.

24. In a switch point operating system, the combination of a switch point, a double solenoid operating means for the switch point to operate it in one direction or the other, a current conductor, a current collector, a contact positioned adjacent said current conductor to be electrically engaged by the said current collector, means operable to selectively direct currents through different parts of the said actuating solenoid, said means normally in one condition of operation for directing current through one part of said solenoid, and means responsive to the electrical engagement of the current collector with the said :LO prising a source of' power, a mechanism to be selectively operated, electrically controlled operating means for the said mechanism, a. relay switch-for selectively directingl currents through different parts of said electrically controlled operating' means, a normally energized operating coil therefor, said relay switch normally in. one condition of operation for directing current through one .part of said electrically controlled operating means and operating a predetermined .120 time after the deenergization of the: said operat ing coil to a different condition of operation for directing current through another part of said electrically controlled operating means'dependent upon whether the said operating coil is deenergized for the said predetermined time or not.

26. In a switch point: operating. system, the combination of a switch point, an actuatingsolenoid, a relay switch for selectively directing cur- 3'0 rents through difierent parts of said solenoid; a

normally energized operating coil therefor, said relay switch normally in condition for directing current through one part of said solenoid and operating a predetermined time after the deenergization of the said operating coil for directing current through a difierent' partof. said solenoid dependent upon whetherthe said operating coil is continuously deenergi'zed for; the said predetermined time or not.

4'0 27.-In a switch point operating system, the

cornbination'of aswitch point, an actuating solenoid, a relay switch operable toselectively direct currents through diiferent parts of the said actuating solenoid; an operating coil therefor, said relay switch normally in condition for directing current through one: part of said solenoid and operating a predetermined time after the deenergization'of' said operating coil for directing current through a different part of said solenoid dependent upon whether the said operating coil is continuously, deenergized. for the. said predeterminedtimeor not, and means for establishing a'fiow of current through. the: part of, the solenoid selected for a predetermined time; 7

28; In a selectively operated relay systenrcomprising, a trolley contactor having acontact member to-be" electrically engaged by a current; collector, 'a source: of: power, a mechanism to be selectively operated; electricallycontrolled operating means for the said mechanism, a branched circuit leading to'the said operating means, a time element switch for selectively connecting the said circuit to one or other of the said branched circuits to permit operation of the said "position by a vehicle only while said vehicle is passing over a particular portion of its path of travel, a mechanism to be selectively operated, electrically controlled operating means forthe said mechanism, a branched circuit leading to the said operating means, a time element switch for selectively connecting the said circuit to one 5 or other of the said' branched circuits to permit selective operation of the said mechanism, electrically operated means to control the said time element switch, and means responsive to an operation of said vehicle operated device to cause the operating means of the said time switch to effect selection of said circuits during a predetermined time after the operation of said vehicle operated device and dependent upon whether the said vehicle operated device is maintained continuously operated for the said predetermined time or not. 30. In a selectively operated'controlsystem comprising, a device adapted to be operated to one position by a vehicle only while the said vehicle is passing over a particular portion of its path of travel, a source of power, a mechanism to'be selectively operated, electrically controlled operating means for the said mechanism, a branched circuit leading to the said operating means, a time element switch for selectively connecting the said circuit to one or other of the branched cir'cuits'to permit selective operation of the said mechanism, electrically operated means to control the said time element switch,

means responsive to an operation of said vehicle operated-device to afi'ect the operating means of the said time element switch dependent upon whether the said vehicle operated device is maintained continuously operated for a predetermined time or not, and other means responsive to the operation of said vehicle operated device to establish a flow of current in the said branched circuit.

FRANK H. RICHTERKESSING. 

